HOW TO PRONOUNCE
afloat
/əˈfloʊt/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:39
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What does afloat mean?
adverb
- In or into a state of floating.
- In, or while in, a vessel at sea or on another body of water; at sea.
- Under water (bearing floating objects).
More meanings (12)
adverb
- (figuratively) In or into circulation or currency.
- (figuratively, obsolete) In or into a condition of stimulation, arousal, confusion, bewilderment, etc.
adjective
- Floating.
- In, or found while in, a vessel at sea or on another body of water.
- Floating in the air; flowing freely; not tied, braided, etc. (of hair or clothing)
- Covered with water, bearing floating objects.
- (figuratively) Covered, overspread, filled (with or in something).
- Having just enough resources to continue to operate; barely able to pay expenses; (of a private individual, family, etc.) keeping one's head above water.
- (figuratively) Believed or talked about by many people; being passed from person to person.
- (figuratively, obsolete) Stimulated, aroused, activated.
- (figuratively, obsolete) In a state of confusion, bewilderment, or distraction.
preposition
- (obsolete) Floating upon.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/əˈfloʊt/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
On such a full sea are we now afloat, And we must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures.
From the same motive the boats were kept afloat that they might be less in fear of the vessel leaving her station.
More book examples (3)
Instead of falling to the ground, the cardboard sails along on the wind, remaining afloat so long as it is in motion.
We thus managed to keep afloat until we reached our destination, when the men patched up the leak for our return journey.
No shell remains on the surface, not even among the Planorbes, which a many-whorled spiral ought, one would think, to keep afloat.